YORK REGION Lake Views - January 2015 DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 80 Wildwood Ave. Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3B5 Tel: 905 773-5381 Fax: 905 773-6238 Breakfast Club www.lakewilcox.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca 7:50 am in the staffroom Lynda Hill-Oren, Principal Leon Barton, Vice Principal

All are welcome to come out and enjoy a nutritious We unite in our purpose to inspire and prepare learners for life in our changing world community. breakfast

Open Lake Wilcox Public School January 2014 Mon., Wed., and Friday’s From the Principal’s Desk... Character Matters: As we embrace the holiday ine the joy in households across day Concert. Some lively toe Fairness spirit and prepare for the many our community who receive tapping/hip swinging music festivities that make the season these expressions of goodwill brought the sounds of the sea- Fairness is not about this Christmas season. Thank son to an appreciative audience. everyone getting the special, it is an opportune time to take stock of the blessings you! Thank you to the Rep Bands, same; it is about every- It continues to be a genuine Glee Club, Gr. 4/5 Recorder one getting what they that enrich our lives. Around the globe, stories of human pleasure to work in such a wel- Club and Primary Choir for an need tragedy, plummeting oil prices, a coming and positive community enchanted evening! We also sluggish Canadian dollar, con- with students who possess irre- thank Mrs. Ridgley, Mrs. Harri- tinuing struggles with employ- pressible smiles and joyful son and Mrs. Friskney for their ment opportunities for our hearts. We are proud of the inspirational leadership with Special Points of youth, and political turmoil tremendous respect and good these music groups! battle for headlines and serve to manners demonstrated by Lake As 2014 draws to a close and Interest: Wilcox students and the effort we take a much anticipated  Earth Rangers unsettle our sense of harmony. Yet the Lake Wilcox community that each child makes to con- winter break, on behalf of the  Winter Weather has kept spirits positive, shown tribute to the vibrant and sup- Lake Wilcox staff, I would like  Student Entry support and compassion for one portive climate of the school. It to wish our families the very is the spirit of giving and cama- best of the festive season and  Homework Help another and reached out to offer help beyond our commu- raderie that helps to ensure that express our gratitude for send-  Dance Program nity. Last week the school’s each child can explore personal ing your children our way to  School Bus Proce- front foyer was stacked to the talents and grow with confi- enjoy each and every day. We dures roof with an incredible display dence. The foundation and promise to continue to care and  Street Signage of generosity from the families heart of the Lake Wilcox com- watch over them with our ut- munity rests on strong family most vigilance and respect. All  Inclement Weather of Lake Wilcox. Boxes of hearty food items (1322 items) values that embrace the qualities the very best in 2015. Happy  Transportation were carted off to St. Vincent of good character. Chanukah and Merry Christmas!  Kindergarten Registra- De Paul by many willing hands On December 16th Lake Wil- tion of students who serve on the cox opened its doors to the  French Immersion “Me to We” Committee. Imag- community for the annual Holi- Registration  Monthly Calendar Earth Rangers:

We are excited to welcome The Earth Rangers to Lake Wilcox on January 29th! The multi- media presentations takes students on an educational adventure to learn about some of the School Council Chair: Christine Erwin planet’s most amazing creatures and their habitats. Students will be introduced to four LIVE lakewilcox.ps animal ambassadors and learn about protecting animals and their habitats. Students will also @sc.yrdsb.edu.on.ca learn about four animal conservation projects that the Earth Rangers are helping (Western

Trustee: Screech Owl, Eastern Wolf, Swift Fox and Bobolink) . To see a Corrie McBain short video of the Earth Rangers Show, visit 416 219-7426 www.earthrangers.org/our-programs/. The school will make a donation to Earth Rangers but there will be no charge to families Superintendent: Rita Russo for this presentation. 905 884 4477 Lake Wilcox Public School Page 2

Too Sick to go Outside for Recess Winter Weather

If you are too sick to go out for recess then you are All students are required to go outside too sick to attend school. It is an expectation at for recreational activities twice a day. Lake Wilcox that if your child attends school then Please make sure your child comes to they must go outside at the recess breaks. Supervi- school dressed to go outdoors. Extra sion is not available in classrooms or the office dur- sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, etc. are ing these times of the day. Exceptions are made for needed. Please also ensure that your chil- students with injuries that restrict mobility. dren have appropriate footwear: an out- door pair of shoes or boots as well as an Students need indoor pair of shoes for classroom and On severe weather days with extreme wind physical education use. Children go appropriate chill temperatures or a cold weather alert, outside for all recesses. outdoor wear. we use judgment to shorten the length of time spent outdoors.

Homework Help is Available... Student Entry: (7:50)

“Homework Help” is a Ministry of Educa- The school office opens at 7:30 a.m. and supervision begins at 7:50 tion initiative which supports intermediate a.m. inside the school. Students are to enter the school directly math learners in grades 7 - 10. and proceed to lockers/coat hooks until instructed by staff to en- In the intermediate years, many parents ter classrooms. School officially begins at 8:05 with the playing of are unable to help their children with O’Canada. We ask that families refrain from sending chil- math homework. Homework Help is de- dren to school prior to 7:50. signed to support students, families and teachers as students work towards an understanding of mathematics. https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/

The Community Class not only discovered the real meaning of empathy L.W.P.S. Dance Program this month, they also raised over We are happy to announce that from January 5-9, 2015 your child will $600 participate in a dance program during their physical education class in support of the times. This enriched program will be provided by a qualified dance in- Hospital for Sick Kids structor. What a wonderful way for students to enhance their Arts through the hot chocolate and Physical Education curricula. Students will be learning movement, and holiday cookie sales jazz, musical theatre as well as other forms of dance. There are no spe- cial requirements for participation and students need only wear their in December. regular clothing and indoor shoes. As well, there is no cost for the pro- Bravo! gram as our School Council has generously offered to help the school Thank you for cover the fee. Students will be performing what they have demonstrating your care and learned throughout the week on the final day of instruction concern for others. (January 9th). Students in grades 1 – 8 will view the perform- ances, but unfortunately due to limited space, we cannot have parents/guardians or family members join us. Lake Wilcox Public School Page 3

Have You Seen the NEW SIGNAGE along Wildwood Ave? The Town of Richmond Hill impossible for busses, family The results of the recent answered our call for help vehicles and walkers last traffic survey will be dis- with easing the traffic con- winter. Families are urged cussed at the January 12th cerns along Wildwood Ave- to note the new parking Council meeting. (See page nue. Snowy streets and signage along Wildwood 4 for an overview.) parked cars made navigating (“No Stopping Anytime”) to Wildwood Avenue nearly avoid a by-law penalty.

Student Dismissal on an Inclement Weather Day (no buses running): (2:35) Kindergarten students will be dismissed from the primary child(ren). Early pick up can dismissed from the fenced or junior doors. be arranged by telephone but kindergarten yard. Parents/ parents arriving after 2:25 will Guardians are asked to meet Grade 7 and 8 students will be asked to wait in the small their child in this area. be allowed to leave by the parking area until dismissal intermediate doors to walk (students will not be called All students in Grades 1 – 6 home or to wait in the small individually over the public will be dismissed from the parking area for pick up. address system to meet par- north entry doors (next to ents). Parent/Guardians who the office) into the small Parents/Guardians are asked arrive by vehicle are re- parking lot by the kindergar- to come by foot to the small minded of the change in ten yard. Students will not be parking area to pick up their street signage along Wild- wood Avenue.

Hot Lunch Program on Inclement Weather Days

When transportation is cancelled on a hot lunch day (Thursdays), the hot lunch program is also can- celled and families should pack a lunch for their child. Families will be notified of the re-scheduled date. Please note that Kids’ Kitchen never cancels their lunch delivery due to inclement weather.

Inclement Weather Conditions & Transportation

School bus service may be cancelled from Radio time to time due to inclement weather, 590 AM, 640 AM, 680 AM, 860 AM, 1010 AM, 1050 AM extreme temperatures and /or poor road 1540 AM, 1580 AM conditions. In these cases, parents and students should develop alternate care/ 88.5 FM 89.9 FM 92.5 AM 93.1 FM 94.9 FM transportation arrangements. 95.9 FM 97.3 FM 98.1 AM 99.1 AM 99.9 FM Please note, when buses are cancelled in the 101.1 FM 102.1 FM 104.5 FM 100.7 FM 107.1 FM morning they will not operate in the after- Television: noon. Therefore students transported to City TV The A-Channel CFTO TV CP24 school by their parents in the morning will Global News need to be picked-up by their parents in the afternoon. Internet: Parents, students and school staff are A bus cancellation message will also be asked to access radio and television sta- tions after 6:00 a.m. to receive bus can- available at: www.schoolbuscity.com cellation information. Lake Wilcox Public School Page 4

Parent/Guardian Reminder about Student Bus Procedures Recently, we reminded all students that take the school bus home, that it is important they make their way quickly out of the school and walk to their bus line (grade 1-3) or directly to the bus (grade 4-8) so that the buses can leave the school on time and adhere to their sched- ule. If for whatever reason a child is late and misses the bus they must speak to an adult supervisor at the bus loop so that they can be brought into the office and arrangements can be made. If the child is so late that the adult supervisor is not at their station, then the child is to come directly into the office so that we are aware of the situation and can make arrangements.

Thank you for helping us ensure all students remain safe.

Transportation

Re: Student Busing Eligibility Policy #680: 12 who live within a transit served area are not eligible for Did you know that students’ • All YRDSB students in Grades JK busing eligibility changes through- -3 who live within 1.2 km of their transportation. out their school career? Your school are not eligible for trans- son/daughter’s eligibility to ride portation the school bus may change ac- To view Board Policy #680 Stu- cording to their grade and dis- • All YRDSB students in Grades 4- dent Transportation, please visit tance from home to school. 8 who live within 1.6 km of their www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca. For more Below are the provisions for school are not eligible for trans- information about bus transpor- eligibility identified in the Board’s portation tation and to determine your son/daughter’s eligibility please Transportation • All YRDSB students in Grades 9- visit www.schoolbuscity.com.

STP Update - Student Transportation Planning Committee

Lake Wilcox is always looking RESULTS for ways to enhance our student safe arrival program. In an effort  Most respondents reside within 0.5 meters to 1.6 km from the school (45%) to analyze our current commu-  Most respondents (in the AM) arrive school by car (37%), (bus: 34%, walking 25%) nity’s transportation needs a planning committee comprised  Most respondents (in the PM) arrive home by bus (39%), (car: 26%, walking 26%) of a YRDSB safe route facilitator,  66% of parents walked to school when there were elementary school‐aged a town transportation planner,  The majority agree that school travel contributes to physical well‐being (42%) and environ- York Region Public Health mental well being (41%). nurses and LWPS administration  Of students that are driven to school, parents drive them mainly because of convenience/ have met twice over the year to time pressures (48%) and because of distance from home is too far (39%). see how students are trans-  72% of parents would allow their children to walk to school if they did not walk alone. ported to and from  Most respondents agree neighbourhood is safe and support active travel promotion 51%), school. Recently we had parents fill in a survey whereby 122 peo- 31% are not sure. ple responded. Below are the results of the survey. Our com- mittee has been developing ideas to address the survey and will keep communicating them to the community as they are initiated.

Lake Wilcox Public School Page 5

Kindergarten French Immersion Registration Information sessions for the French Immersion (FI) program will take place at Kindergarten registration will Windham Ridge and Beynon Fields on January 16, 2015 at 7 p.m. FI registra- commence on January 16, tion will begin January 16, 2015. In order to streamline the registration proc- 2015 for the 2015-2016 school ess, parents or guardians of Senior Kindergarten students entering Grade 1 in year. Registration forms are 2015, and wishing to enroll in the FI Program, can visit or call the school office available on YRDSB’s website: and request an Office Index Card - short version. The Office Index Card must be www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca. Children signed by the principal of the home school. Parents or guardians then take this Lake Wilcox who turn four or five years old form, along with one piece of identification showing their address to either students feed to during 2015 and live within the Windham Ridge P.S. or Beynon Fields P.S. to register between January 16 and two different school boundary and whose February 13, 2015. This eliminates the need to provide duplicate enrollment schools, check parents are public school tax information or to pre-register. the school loca- supporters will be eligible to YRDSB’s FI Accommodation Plan provides long-term consistency and equity tor to find out register for kindergarten. A of access to all students in York Region and will enable YRDSB to continue to which school kindergarten information ses- offer the FI program to all who wish to enrol. The FI program will be offered your child will sion for parents is being in Dual Track or Single Track settings, in a variety of configurations. In order planned for this spring. For attend. to meet community needs and optimize available space in our schools, a com- more information please visit munity's Grade 1-8 FI program may be provided over more than one school the YRDSB website or contact during the course of a student's FI education. This will allow flexibility in ad- your local school. You will dressing community needs and the opportunity to use existing space in need to bring your child’s birth schools. More information is available on the Board’s website: certificate or passport and a www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca. Please note: Some of the FI accommodation plans will tax bill to register (proof of require facility modifications or the development of new schools and will re- residence). quire short-term transition plans that might include overflow while we work toward the long-term vision. Overflow refers to situations in which the Board directs students to attend a school other than their community school or optional program for a specific period of time, as defined in Policy #108.

arts@baythorn

Would your child enjoy learning the Ontario curriculum through the Arts?

If so, the York Region District School Board offers an elementary integrated Arts program at Baythorn Pub- lic School. Students currently in grades four and five may apply for the arts@baythorn program, where they will have the opportunity to explore the disciplines of Dance, Drama, Visual Arts, and Music while meeting the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum for grades five, six, seven, and eight.

To learn more about the arts@baythorn program, students and their families are invited to attend an informa- tion evening at Baythorn Public School on Thursday, January 15, 2015 @ 6:30 p.m.

Applications will be on line via the school website and available after January 15, 2015 www.baythorn.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Please call us at Baythorn Public School (905) 889-7992, if you require further information Lake Wilcox Public School Page 6 January 2015

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5 6 7 8 Hot 9 Lunch Welcome Frozen Yogurt Make up Hot Lunch from back! December 11th snow day

Dance Program with Mrs. Bishop

12 13 14 15 Hot Lunch 16 Pizza P. A. Day

6:45 School Council

Mtg No School

Lice Checks

19 20 21 22 Hot Lunch 23 Il Bistro Earth Rangers Frozen Yogurt Presentation Gr. 1—8 (10:30)

26 27 28 29 Hot Lunch 30 Opa Frozen Yogurt